Glossary
Obituary
An obituary is a published notice of a person's death that typically shares biographical details, surviving family, and service information. It may appear in a newspaper or online, and newspapers often charge a fee based on length.
An obituary usually announces the death, summarizes the person's life, lists surviving and predeceased relatives, and gives the date, time, and place of services along with any memorial or donation requests.
Funeral homes often help write and place obituaries. Paid newspaper notices can be costly and are usually priced by length, while many funeral home and online memorial pages are free.
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Common questions
- How much does it cost to publish an obituary?
- Paid newspaper notices are usually priced by length and can range from modest to several hundred dollars, especially in large papers or with photos. Many funeral home and online memorial pages host an obituary for free.
- Who writes the obituary?
- Often a family member writes it, and funeral homes commonly help draft and place it. It typically announces the death, summarizes the person's life, lists surviving relatives, and gives service details.
- What is the difference between an obituary and a death certificate?
- An obituary is a published notice that shares a person's life and service information, while a death certificate is the official government record of the death used to settle the estate and claim benefits. They serve very different purposes.
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